16 Aug 2022

Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection by any athlete is regarded as doping, according to Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture’s (MYSC), anti-doping officer, Ntebogang Khubamang.

Speaking during a Francistown Regional Football Association (FRARFA) anti-doping session recently, Khubamang also warned athletes against taking illegal substances to enhance performance, saying such was contrary to the idea of clean and fair play on the field.

She  said athletes’ failure to disclose their whereabouts, missing a combination of three tests or tampering with any part of doping control was also regarded as doping.

The Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV), she said, was against possession of a prohibited substance, method trafficking or attempted trafficking.

“Administration or attempted administration by an athlete or other person to any athlete in-competition is violation of anti-doping rules,” she said, adding any athlete found guilty of doping and sentenced was not allowed near any government facility, camp or other athletes since they were regarded as high risk.

National anti-doping coordinator, Fredrick Seno, said their office’s aim was to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport and protect the right of clean athletes.

He said they promoted the spirit of no cheating, no fighting, fair play and presented themselves as parents in the field of play.

“We want to protect right of clean athletes, protect them from doping as it was bad for their health, physically or mentally and protect the integrity of Botswana sport,’’ Seno said.

He said the Francistown event was intended to raise awareness and build capacity to address the threat of doping; identify roles and responsibilities in addressing the problem as well as foster collaboration and cooperation.

Other objectives, he said, were to share and exchange good practices, reinforce ownership and detect ADRV sanctions.

Manager at Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organisation, Andrew Kamanga, said sport should have a firm foundation and promote values from grassroots level.

He said while people were given responsibilities, they did not operate in isolation as there were international standards in place. ENDS